Like a bat out of hell, Meat Loaf has unexpectedly joined Mitt Romney at a campaign rally to declare his support for the Republican contender for the White House.

The 65-year-old rocker made his stand in a town chosen as much for its evocative name - Defiance - as for its location in the must-win swing state of Ohio.

Adding his name to the small and esoteric list of celebrities backing the challenger, Meat Loaf said: "I have never been in any political agenda in my life.

"But I think that, in 2012, this is the most important election in the history of the United States."

To roars from the crowd, Meat Loaf warned: "There are storm clouds coming over the United States, there are thunderstorms over Europe, there are hailstorms, and I mean major hailstorms, in the Middle East.

"I want you to know that there is one man who will stand tall in this country and fight the storm and bring the United States back to what it should be: Governor Mitt Romney."

The rocker, who was born as Marvin Lee Aday, is best known for his 1977 album Bat Out Of Hell, which sold 43 million copies.

He enjoyed a brief return to fame in 1993 when a single from the follow-up Bat Out Of Hell II won him a Grammy.

The star's presence had not been announced in advance, and Mr Romney was keen to milk the moment, saying: "Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf was here, can you believe that?"

Image:Defiance - Meat Loaf appears at a Romney rally in Ohio

Meat Loaf then sang one of his hits, with lyrics that could apply to many political campaigns: "If it ain't real, fake it. If it ain't yours, take it. If it don't exist, you make it. If it ain't broke, break it."

Meanwhile, Lena Dunham, the star and creator of the Sky Atlantic comedy/drama Girls has made a campaign video for Democrat contender Barack Obama to appeal to first-time voters.

Video:US Election: Obama Votes Early

In it, she says: "Your first time shouldn't be with just anybody. You want to do it with a great guy. It should be with a guy with beautiful ... somebody who really cares about and understands women."

She concludes: "My first time voting was amazing. It was this line in the sand. Before I was a girl. Now I was a woman. I went to the polling station and pulled back the curtain. I voted for Barack Obama."

Both Mr Romney and his rival, the incumbent president Mr Obama, have attracted celebrity endorsements in the course of the campaign.